Ethnic inequalities

Question 1

Black feminism

Answer 1

ABBOT ET AL - claims that ‘women’s experiences derived from white perspectives and priorities’ as white people can speak on behalf of black women but black feminists not expected to speak on behalf of white women

BREWER - Black/ ethnic minority women suffer a disadvantage due to their class, race and gender which is known as a ‘triple systems theory’

MIRZA - argues black feminism challenges dominant images of black women as passive victims (in the media) of racism, patriarchy and social class.

CONNELL - Refers to postcolonial feminism as gender inequality is seen through western eyes; as globally, women face a range of different forms of oppression eg. honour killings, period poverty etc.

Question 2

Cultural

Answer 2

MODOOD - found that ⅗ of Bangladeshi women, half of pakistani women, ⅕ of pakistani and bengali men didn’t speak English. South Asian women portrayed as passive victims as they have poorer educational qualifications than the men in their communities. Muslim women tend to prioritise the home and family over work.

ROBERTS - Asian groups are more likely to be self-employed or small business owners, and they are often described as having a strong ‘spirit of enterprise’ and strong supportive family networks which favours economic success. He contrasts this to the bitter experiences of colonialism and slavery that have caused anti-enterprise attitudes amongst African Caribbean groups.

SEWELL - young black boys portray Hyper-masculinity due to matriarchal backgrounds, which leads them to looking for black rappers as role models in the media.

BUTLER - studied muslim women and discovered that they have more ‘progressive attitudes’ towards work and sexuality.

DALE ET AL - found clear evidence of changes across younger generations as younger women are more likely to work and speak fluent english, although they accepted this may change after marriage.

Question 3

Functionalism

Answer 3

PATTERSON - ‘host immigrant model’ emphasised importance of culture in explaining racism, Patterson identified three causes of racial discrimination; 1)the hosts fear of social change 2)resentment about having to compete for jobs 3)the failure of ethnic minorities to assimilate. Some policies reflect the host-immigrant model such as new labour introduced the 45 minute citizenship test, and conservatives encouraging teaching British Values in schools.

PARSONS - Claims ethnic inequalities are temporary and are a result of cultural differences, and equality will come once there is assimilation.

Question 4

Marxism

Answer 4

COX - there is a direct relationship between capitalism and racism through slavery and colonisation.

CASTLES AND KOSACK - Racism leads to low paid work for ethnic minorities. Saw ethnic minorities as most disadvantaged and suggests that racism is encouraged by the capitalist class for 3 ideological reasons; 1- to legitimise (racism helps to justify low pay) 2-to divide and rule (if black and white workers were in conflict there is less chance of a revolution) 3- to scapegoat (societal problems such as high crime rates and unemployment)

Question 5

Neo Marxism

Answer 5

SOLOMOS AT AL - ethnic inequalities linked to capitalism but also economic factors, government policies and the culture of ethnic minorities

LAWRENCE - New racism emerged due to the ruling class reinforcing ideologies based on Britishness, high unemployment and economic instability and the culture of immigrant groups are viewed in a negative way.

Question 6

Weberiansism

Answer 6

WEBER - Class is defined in terms of market and work situation, status groups competitive and aim to achieve ‘social closure’ as they monopolise privilege and exclude other groups

PARKIN - refers to ethnic minorities as ‘negatively privileged status groups’; white British people use social closure to keep ethnic minorities out of position of authority. They face a concrete ceiling.

BARRON AND NORRIS - ethnic minorities would be in a secondary labour market (unstable, low paid jobs)

Question 7

Postmodernism

Answer 7

BACK - young people in south London; black and asian youths were friends; ‘hybrid identities’ emerged and they tried out ‘cultural masks’.

BURDSEY - Researched second generation footballers and discovered that they ‘code switched’ with their teammates and their family. Conflict between laddish behaviour (drinking, gambling), ‘dual identities’

GILL - studied ‘blasians’ and ‘brasians’, Asians who adopted black and british style influenced by their peers